Automatic car, air, and electric coupler



Feb. 2 1926.

H. F. WOERNLEY AUTOMATIC CAR, AIR, AND ELECTRIC COUPLER l, 1921 3 SheetsfSheet 1 Filed June INVENTOR HARRY FWOERNLEY ATTORNEY mlb..

H. F. WOERN LEY 1, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June INVENTOR HARRY F. WOERNLEY E* l/ ATTORNEY Feb. 2 1926.

AUTOMATIC CAR, AIR, AND ELECTRIC CoUPLEn Feb. 2 1926. 1,571,222V

H. F. WQERNLEY AUTOMATIC CAR, AIR, AND ELECTRIC COUPLER Filed June 1, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR HARRY F WOERNLEY WOM@ ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFlCFn AHARRY F. WOEBLEY, F WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB T0 THB WIST- INGHOUSE AIB BRAKE COMPANY, .A CORPORATION OF YENNSYALTA.

AUTOMATIC CAR, AIR, AN D EI'JEGTB'IC?l OOUPLER.

Application mea nine i, i921. semi in. 474,0ei.

To all whom it may comer/n.

Be it known that I, HARRY F. WOERNLEY, a citizen of the. United States, residing at 1Willtiiisburg, in tlie county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Car, Air, and Electric Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for coupling cars and for. connecting electric train line circuits between the cars ot a train.

' In my prior application, Serial No. 243,497, tiled July 5, 1918, there is disclosed an electric train line coupler in which a movable contact carrier is actuated by force derived from the 'coming together ci the couplers, whichforce is, however, stored up dui-ing a part of the approach movement, as by the compression ofa spring, which spring is then trip ed as the final coupled position is reache and by its expansive force serves to project the contact carrier to its extended coupled position.l

When an electric coupler of the above type is associated with a car coupler, the resistance set up by the compression of the springs in the act of coupling, tends to prevent the full and complete movement of the car couplers to the coupled position which is particularly necessary with a coupler of the type known as the tight lock coupler.

One of the principal objects of my present invention is to provide an improved electric train line cou ler of the above type, in which the above diiculty is overcome.

For this purpose, I pro ose to provide an electric coupler in whic the force for projecting the contact carrier is stored up during the uncoupling operation, s0 that during movement to the coupled position, the couplers will not be subjected to resistance tending to prevent the movement to the coupled position.

Other objects and advanta es will a pear in the following more detai ed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings; Fig. 1 is a horizontal section -of counterpart electric train line couplers in the coupled position, and constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 a diagrammatic view, partly in section, of car couplers in the coupled position and so much of the electric couplers as is necessary to show the iuid pressure operating connections between the car and the electric train line couplers; Fig. 3 a horizontal section of an electric coupler, with the parts in the uncoupled position; Fig. 4 an elevational view, 4partly in section, of the hand operated mechanism for compressing the projecting spring; Fig. 5 a plan view thereof, artly in section, on the line 5 5 et Fig. 4, s iowiiig the handle in normal position; Fig. G a plan view, showing the handle in position after compressing the spring; and Fig. 7 a section on the line 7-7 ot Fi n 5.

s shown in' Fig. 1, the electric coupler may comprise a casing l, preferably adapted to be secured to the car coupler, and con- .taining a movable member or slide 2 carrying` a plurality of electric contacts 3, which are adapted to engage corresponding contacts of the counterpart coupler when the couplers are coupled together and the slides carrying said contacts are projected outwardly to the extended position.-

Pivotally mounted in the casing on a pin 4, carried by the casing 1, is a lever 5 having one end connected by a pivoted rod 6 to a piston 7 contained in piston cylinder 8 and havin pivotally connected to a point near the ot er end of the lever, a plunger 9 which engages the end of a coil spring 10, so that upon movement of the piston 7 by fluid under pressure, the lever 5 is rocked on the pinfl, to cause the plunger 9 to compress the spring.

Said spring is mounted in a casin 12 havin a spherical projection 13 at the nt end a apted to engage a corresponding recess in t e coupler casing 1.

Adjacent to the pin 4, the lever 5 is provided with an arm 14 carrying a pin 15 and pivotally connected to the contact carrier 2 is a link 16 having a slot 17 at the rear end in which the pin 15 is adapted to enga e.

In order to lock the lever 5 and ho d the spring 10 under compression, a trigger arm 18 is pivotally connected to one end of the lever and is provided with a hoop 19 ada ted to engage a fixed pin 20 when the parts ave moved to the position in which the springs are compresse For tripping the arm 18 from its locked position, a piston 21 is provided having a stem 22 adapted to engage the arm and subject to the pressure oi" a spring 23 tending t/o retract the stein.

Slidably mounted en the arm 18 ie e. block 24 which is normally pressed into (pielding en ment with a pin 25, secure to the arm, ymeans of a finger 26 which engages a leaf spring 27, secured to the arm 18, the block being positioned to engage the end .of the stem 22 when the arm 18 is in the locked position..

The fluid pressure opera-twg connections between the carcoupler and the electric train line coupler are shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, a car coupler of the ti ht lock type bemg shown comprising hoo -shaped projections 28, each adapted to engage a corresponding inclined surface of a counterpart coupler and be rigidly clamped together by the spring actuated locking levers 29, which may be released by fluid pressure admitted to pistons 30, in cylinders 31.

The car coupler also serves as a coupler for the fluid pressure pipes, such as the mam reservoirpipe 32 and the brake pipe 3 3. The fluid pressure conduits are arranged 1n vertical alinement in the actual construction,

but in order to clearly show the operation, the brake pipe connection through the coupler is shown in Fig. 2 at one side of the coupler. l

The conduit through the coupler for the main reservoir line is controlled by a tappet valve 34, which is unseated at the final part of the coupling movement.

The conduit through the coupler for the brake pipe 33 is controlled by a tappet valve 35 connected to a piston 36. A p1pe 37, connected to the tripping piston 21', leads to the brake pipe conduit intermediate the valve 35 and the gasket opening of the conduit, so that fluid under pressure is supplied to said piston, whenever fluid is flowing through the brake pipe conduit. n i

A brake pipe closing valve 38 1s 1nterposed in the brake pipe 33 and is adapted to be operated by a piston 39, the parts being contained in a casing 40.

Fluid under ressure for operating piston 7 may be supplied through a pipe 41 from asource of pressure such as main reservoir 42, the flow of fluid through said pipe being also adapted to operate the piston 39.

A manually operated valve 43 is provided in pipe 41 for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid pressure to and from the pi e 41 and the pipe 41 contains a check valve 44 for preventin back flow.

The supply of fluid or operatin the car coupler p1ston 30 may be controlle by a relay valve 45 adapted to be operated by a plston 46 for supplying fluid from the main reservoir pipe lme 32 throu h passage 47 to the piston 30 and fluid uner ressure for operating the piston 46 is sup led through a pipe 48 and aport 49, contro led by piston 7, and only when said iston has been moved out its full stroke by flriiid pressure.

A port 50 leading from the piston cylinan,... i

der 'Sito the meeting face of the electric coupler is adapted to register with the corresponding ort ofa counterpart coupler when- J 10, a release spring 51 is provided, sai

spring being interposed between the rear face of the coupler casing 1 and a collar 52 on' a tubular rearward projection 53 carried by the slide 2.

In operation, as so far described, assuming that the electric coupler parts are in the uncoupled position, as shown inv Fig. 3 of the drawings, with the spring 10 held under compression by the plunger 9 and with the hook 19 of the trigger arm 18 en aging the pin 20. When two cars are broug t together for coupling, the counterpart car couplers will engage in the usual manner and in t coupled position, the locking levers'29 wi assume the locked position as shown in Fig. 2. In coupling up, the tappet valves 35 are lifted from their seats by the engagement of 'the tap ets, so that communicatmn is established t rough the brake pipe 33.

Fluid under pressure flowing through the brake pipe conduit of the car coupler lthen flows through pipe 37 to .the tripping piston 21 and said piston thereupon actuates thc stem 22, Whic engages the block 24, so that the arm 18 isshifted, causing the hook 19 to botripped out of engagement with the P Upon release of the arm 18, the lever 5 is turned on its pivot pin 4 by the force of the spring 10 acting through the plunger 9, causing the pin 15 on the arm 14 to act on the toggle link 16, so as to project the contact carrier 2fand thereby effect the engagement of the respective contacts'3 with corresponding contacts of the counterpart coupler.

In order to ensure that the car couplers will be in the full coupled position, before the contact carrier is rojected, a volume chamber 11 is interposed between the piston 21. and the pipe 37 and the rate of flow of fluid from said pipe to the chamber 11 is restricted by means of a restricted port 54, so that a predetermined time is lnecessary for the fluid pressure on piston 21 to increase sufliciently to efl'ect the trippingl movement thereof.

In order to uncouple, the cock 43 on one car is turned so-as to admit fluid under pressure from the reservoir 42 to pipe 41. The brake pipe closing valve 38 is then o erated by piston 39 to close communication t rou l1 the brake pipe 33 and fluid supplied to t e pipe 41 also flows to piston cylmder 8. The 1piston 7 is then shifted rearwardly and 'the ever 5 is turned on the pivot pin 4, so that tive movement of the projection 60 and therefore the lever 5, so that the lever can operate as described, without interference from the manual operating means.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 4:-

1. In an electric lcoupler for cars, the combination of a` movable member carrying electric contacts, resilient means, a mechanical connection interposed between said means and said member, manuall operated means for compressing said .resilient means and mechanism forY holding said spring under compression. y' Y 2. In an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts, resilient means for projecting said member, means for compressing sai resilient means, and mechanism for holding said resilient means com ressed while the coupler is in .its uncoupl osition.

3. In an electric coupler or cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts, a mechanical connection to laid member, a spring acting on said mechanical connection for projecting said member in the act of coupling, and means for comp'essing said -spring in the ac t of uncou- P 4.gIn an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts connected to the respective train line circuits, a spring, means for compressing said s ring as a preliminary to uncoupling, an mechanism operated by said spring for projecting said movable member'.

5. In an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying'electric contacts connected to the respective train line circuits, a spring under` compression in the uncoupled osition of the coupler, mechanism operat by said spring for projecting said member, a stop device for restraining the spring, and trip means for releasing said stop device upon the coming together of the counterpart couplers.

6. In an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts connected to the respective train line circuits, a spring, means for holding said spring under compression in the uncoupled position of the coupler, mechanism operable by said spring for projecting said member, and means for effecting the operation of said mechanism upon the coming together of counterpart couplers.

7. In an electric coupler .for cars, the

combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts connected to the respective. train line circuits, a mechanical connection to said member, a spring acting on said mechanical connection for rojectin said member, and meansoperated by lui under pressure for compressing said spring.

- ananas 8. In an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts connected to the respective train line circuits, a mechanical connection to said member, a spring acting on said mechanical connection for projectirg said member, andmeans operated by iluid under pressure supplied during the uncoupling operation for com ressing said s ring.

9. In an e ectric coupler ihr cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts, a. spring, operated by said spring means for projecting said member, a device operated by fluid under pressure for compressing said spring, and manually operated means for supplying Huid under pressure to said device.

10. In a coupler, the combination of a coupler head, a movable lock, a iluid pressure operated device for releasing said lock, a movable member carrying electric contacts, a spring for projectin said member, a fluid pressure' operated piston for compressin said spring, and a port controlled by sai piston for supplying fluid under pressure to effect the operation of said lock releasing device.

11. The combination with a train brake p ipe and a fluid pressure operated valve device for controlling communication through sa1 d brake pipe, of an electric coupler comprising a movable member carrying electric contacts, a s ring, a mechanism inte between sai member and said spring for effecting the pro'lection of said member by the pressure of t e spring, and a piston operated b fluid under pressure supplied to said va ve device for compressing said spring.

12. The combination with a train brake pipe, a fluid pressure operated valve device for controlling communication through said brake pi of a coupler comprising a coupler hea a movable lock, a fluid pressure operated device for releasing said lock, a movable member carrying electric contacts, a spring, a lever mechanism o ratively connecting the s ring with sai member and through whic the pressure of the spring is transmitted for pro'ecting said member, a piston operated by uid under pressure supplied to said valve device for compress' said spring, and a port controlled by sai piston for supplying fluid under pressure to eifect the operation of said lock releasing de vice.

13. In a coupler, the combination of a coupler head, a movable lock, a duid ressure operated device for releasing said ock, a movable member carrying electric contacts, a lever mechanism connected to said member, a spring actin through said mechanism for projecting sai member, and a fluid pressure operated device for com ressing said spring and for supplying flui under pl'- lll sure for effecting the operation of said lock releasing device. l

14. In an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts, a mechanical connection to said member, a spring engaging said connection for projecting said member, a :duid pressure operated device for compressing said spring, and a ort communicating with said device and a apted to register with acorresponding port of a counterpart coupler for supplying Huid under pressure to the fluid pressure operated device of the counterpart coupler.,

15. In an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts, a spring, a lever mechanism interposed between said member and said spring for projecting said member by the pressure of the spring, means for compressing said spring in the uncoupling o eration, and a sprmg for retracting sald member.

16. lin an electric coupler for cars, the combination of a movable member carrying electric contacts, a spring, a lever mechanism interposed between said member and said spring for projecting said member by the pressure of the spring, Huid pressure means for compressing said spring in the uncoupling operation, and mechanically operated means for also compressing said spring.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. l

HARRY F. WOERNLEY. 

